CHAPTER 3
Forms for LLCs
THE LLC-1, CALIFORNIA LLC ARTICLES OF Organization is the form required in the State of California to organize and register a limited liability company. Each state requires a different form. The Sample Letter to Secretary of State Accompanying Articles of Organization is a simple cover letter that you should include when submitting LLC papers to the Secretary of State.
A registered agent is a person or entity authorized and obligated to receive legal papers on behalf of an LLC. The Sample Letter to Registered Agent Accompanying Articles of Organization is a simple cover letter that you should deliver to your registered agent upon the organization of your LLC. Keep in mind that your state of organization may use a different term than “registered agent.” Typical equivalents include “agent for service of process,” “local agent,” and “registered agent.”
The next group of forms includes different types of LLC operating agreements and deserves some comment. LLCs are managed in one of two ways, either “member-managed” or “manager-managed.” Member-managed LLCs are governed by the LLC’s owners (members) equally, like a standard partnership. Manager-managed LLCs are governed by one or more appointed managers who often need not be members of the LLC. This manner of management by appointment is called “representative management.” Manager-managed LLCs are managed much like corporations—with an appointed body of persons other than the company’s ownership. The body of managers that undertakes governing responsibilities can come in the form of a board of managers or a committee of managers. Thus, the Short-Form Operating Agreement for Member-Managed LLC and the Long-Form Agreement for Member-Managed LLC are the short and long versions of operating agreements for member-managed LLCs. Similarly the Short-Form Operating Agreement for Manager-Managed LLC and the Long-Form Operating Agreement for Manager-Managed LLC are short and long versions of operating agreements for manager-managed LLCs.
The Membership Ledger is a written table showing the owners of an LLC. The ledger must also indicate the percentage held by each owner. As new members are added to the LLC through the sale of membership interests, their ownership is recorded on the ledger. The membership ledger should also show transfers of members’ ownership interest, as when a member passes away and transfers his or her interest through his or her will. The importance of the membership ledger cannot be overstated, and it should be diligently maintained. The membership ledger is akin to the deed for a piece of real estate. The ledger is the primary evidence of ownership in an LLC, and carries a great degree of weight when presented in court. LLC owners should insist on receiving updated copies of the membership ledger periodically.
Each member admitted to the LLC should execute the Investment Representation Letter. The investment representation letter offers some measure of protection to the entity because the member being admitted to the LLC makes certain representations regarding his qualifications and fitness to serve as a member of the LLC. Also, in the investment representation letter the member makes certain representations regarding his or her investment objectives, which are necessary in order to comply with state and federal securities laws.
The Appointment of Proxy for Member’s Meeting is an authorization by one member giving another person the right to vote the owner’s shares in a company, in this case an LLC. The term proxy also refers to the document granting such authority. Proxy rules are typically outlined in state law and an LLC’s operating agreement. Often proxies are granted when members don’t wish to attend member meetings, but they want their vote to be counted. They can thus grant their proxy to another person to attend the meeting and vote their shares on their behalf.
The Call for Meeting of Members is an instruction by LLC members to the managers that the members want to call a meeting of members. This serves as official notice to the managers. This call is only required by manager-managed LLCs; if a member in a member-managed LLC wants to call a meeting of members, he or she would skip the call, and simply send a notice of meeting of members to all other members. The next form in this chapter is a notice of meeting of members.
The Notice of Meeting of LLC Members is an LLC’s announcement to its members that a meeting of members has been called.
While LLC members and managers enjoy far fewer corporate formalities than corporation owners, an LLC must still maintain records of its meetings. When an LLC’s members meet to formally vote on any matter, the results of that vote should be committed to written minutes called the Minutes of Meeting of LLC Members.
In the real world, most LLC votes are taken by written consent in a document called an Action by Written Consent of LLC Members rather than by notice and meeting and an in-person vote. Use the written consent form when you wish to take a company action in writing, rather than by a noticed meeting. Keep in mind, however, that your operating agreement and articles may require more than a simple majority to pass certain actions. Written consents are important company records and should be maintained in the record books.
The Written Consent of Members Approving a Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Organization Changing an LLC’s Name is a specific example of a written consent. In this case, the written consent authorizes a change to the LLC’s charter to change the LLC’s legal name.

11. LLC-1, California LLC Articles of Organization

017
018
019

12. Sample Letter to Secretary of State Accompanying Articles of Organization

Note: This letter is a version appropriate for use in Delaware, but can be modified for use in any state.
 
Michael Spadaccini
123 Elm Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-555-1212
 
(Date) __________________
 
State of Delaware
Division of Corporations
401 Federal Street, Suite 4
Dover, DE 19901
 
To whom it may concern:
 
Enclosed you will find articles of organization for 17 Reasons, LLC. Please file the enclosed articles.
 
I have enclosed five copies of the filing and a check for $_____ to cover filing fees. Please return any necessary papers in the envelope that I have provided.
 
Yours truly,
 
 
Michael Spadaccini

13. Sample Letter to Registered Agent Accompanying Articles of Organization

Michael Spadaccini
123 Elm Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-555-1212
 
(Date) ______________________
 
Harvard Business Services, Inc.
25 Greystone Manor
Lewes, DE 19958
 
To whom it may concern:
 
I have enclosed a copy of articles of incorporation I am filing today. As you can see, I have used you as our registered agents in the state of Delaware.
 
Please use the following contact information:
 
17 Reasons, LLC
c/o Michael Spadaccini
123 Elm Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
 
I have enclosed a check for $50.00 to cover the first year’s services.
 
Yours truly,
 
 
Michael Spadaccini

14. Short-Form Operating Agreement for Member-Managed LLC

OPERATING AGREEMENT OF (nsert full name of LLC)

THIS OPERATING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is hereby entered into by the undersigned, who are owners and shall be referred to as Member or Members.
 
RECITALS
 
The Members desire to form (insert full name of LLC), a limited liability company (the “Company”), for the purposes set forth herein, and, accordingly, desire to enter into this Agreement in order to set forth the terms and conditions of the business and affairs of the Company and to determine the rights and obligations of its Members.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Members, intending to be legally bound by this Agreement, hereby agree that the limited liability company operating agreement of the Company shall be as follows:
 
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
 
When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
 
1.1 “Act” means the Limited Liability Company Law of the State in which the Company is organized or chartered, including any amendments or the corresponding provision(s) of any succeeding law.
 
1.2 “Capital Contribution(s)” means the amount of cash and the agreed value of property, services rendered, or a promissory note or other obligation to contribute cash or property or to perform services contributed by the Members for such Members’ Interest in the Company, equal to the sum of the Members’ initial Capital Contributions plus the Members’ additional Capital Contributions, if any, made pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, less payments or distributions made pursuant to Section 5.1.
 
1.3 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding law).
 
1.4 “Interest” or “Interests” means the ownership Interest, expressed as a number, percentage, or fraction, set forth in Table A, of a Member in the Company.
 
1.5 “Person” means any natural individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, jointstock company, trust, or other entity.
 
1.6 “Secretary of State” means the Office of the Secretary of State or the office charged with accepting articles of organization in the Company’s state of organization.
 
ARTICLE II. FORMATION
 
2.1 Organization. The Members hereby organize the Company as a limited liability company pursuant to the provisions of the Act.
 
2.2 Effective Date. The Company shall come into being on, and this Agreement shall take effect from, the date the Articles of Organization of the Company are filed with the Secretary of State in the state of organization or charter.
 
2.3 Agreement: Invalid Provisions and Saving Clause. The Members, by executing this Agreement, hereby agree to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. To the extent any provision of this Agreement is prohibited or ineffective under the Act, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the least extent necessary in order to make this Agreement effective under the Act. In the event the Act is subsequently amended or interpreted in such a way to validate any provision of this Agreement that was formerly invalid, such provision shall be considered to be valid from the effective date of such amendment or interpretation.
 
 
ARTICLE III. PURPOSE; NATURE OF BUSINESS
 
3.1 Purpose; Nature of Business. The purpose of the Company shall be to engage in any lawful business that may be engaged in by a limited liability company organized under the Act, as such business activities may be determined by the Member or Members from time to time.
 
3.2 Powers. The Company shall have all powers of a limited liability company under the Act and the power to do all things necessary or convenient to accomplish its purpose and operate its business as described in Section 3.1 here.
 
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERS AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
 
4.1 Members and Initial Capital Contribution. The name, address, Interest, and value of the initial Capital Contribution of the Members shall be set forth on Table A attached hereto.
 
4.2 Additional Capital Contributions. The Members shall have no obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Company. The Members may make additional Capital Contributions to the Company as the Members unanimously determine are necessary, appropriate, or desirable.
 
ARTICLE V. DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
 
5.1 Distributions and Allocations. All distributions of cash or other assets of the Company shall be made and paid to the Members at such time and in such amounts as the majority of the Members may determine. All items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit shall be allocated to the Members in proportion to their Interests.
 
ARTICLE VI. TAXATION
 
6.1 Income Tax Reporting. Each Member is aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by Article V here and agrees to be bound by the provisions of Article V here in reporting each Member’s share of Company income and loss for federal and state income tax purposes.
 
6.2 Tax Treatment. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary and only for purposes of federal and, if applicable, state income tax purposes, the Company shall be classified as a partnership for such federal and state income tax purposes unless and until the Members unanimously determine to cause the Company to file an election under the Code to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation.
 
ARTICLE VII. MANAGEMENT BY MEMBERS
 
7.1 Management by Members. The Company shall be managed by its Members, who shall have full and exclusive right, power, and authority to manage the affairs of the Company and to bind the Company to contracts and obligations, to make all decisions with respect thereto, and to do or cause to be done any and all acts or things deemed by the Members to be necessary, appropriate, or desirable to carry out or further the business of the Company.
 
7.2 Voting Power in Proportion to Interest. The Members shall enjoy voting power and authority in proportion to their Interests. Unless expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement or the Articles of Organization, Company decisions shall be made by majority vote.
 
7.3 Duties of Members. The Members shall manage and administer the day-to-day operations and business of the Company and shall execute any and all reports, forms, instruments, documents, papers, writings, agreements, and contracts, including but not limited to deeds, bills of sale, assignments, leases, promissory notes, mortgages, and security agreements and any other type or form of document by which property or property rights of the Company are transferred or encumbered, or by which debts and obligations of the Company are created, incurred, or evidenced.
 
ARTICLE VIII. BOOKS AND RECORDS
 
8.1 Books and Records. The Members shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal place of business of the Company true and correct books of account, in which shall be entered fully and accurately each and every transaction of the Company. The Company’s taxable and fiscal years shall end on December 31. All Members shall have the right to inspect the Company’s books and records at any time, for any reason.
 
ARTICLE IX. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
 
9.1 Limited Liability. Except as otherwise required by law, the debts, obligations, and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations, and liabilities of the Company, and the Members shall not be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation, or liability of the Company solely by reason of being Members. The failure of the Company to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or the management of its business or affairs under this Agreement or by law shall not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Members for any debts, liabilities, or obligations of the Company. Except as otherwise expressly required by law, the Members, in such Members’ capacity as such, shall have no liability in excess of (a) the amount of such Members’ Capital Contributions, (b) such Members’ share of any assets and undistributed profits of the Company, and (c) the amount of any distributions required to be returned according to law.
 
9.2 Indemnification. The Company shall, to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law, indemnify, save harmless, and pay all judgments and claims against the Members, and each of the Company’s or Members’ agents, affiliates, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from, against, and in respect of any and all liability, loss, damage, and expense incurred or sustained by the Indemnified Party in connection with the business of the Company or by reason of any act performed or omitted to be performed in connection with the activities of the Company or in dealing with third parties on behalf of the Company, including costs and attorneys’ fees before and at trial and at all appellate levels, whether or not suit is instituted (which attorneys’ fees may be paid as incurred), and any amounts expended in the settlement of any claims of liability, loss, or damage, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
 
9.3. Insurance. The Company shall not pay for any insurance covering liability of the Members or the Company’s or Members’ agents, affiliates, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns for actions or omissions for which indemnification is not permitted hereunder; provided, however, that nothing contained here shall preclude the Company from purchasing and paying for such types of insurance, including extended coverage liability and casualty and worker’s compensation, as would be customary for any Person owning, managing, and/or operating comparable property and engaged in a similar business, or from naming the Members and any of the Company’s or Members’ agents, affiliates, heirs, legal representatives, successors, or assigns or any Indemnified Party as additional insured parties thereunder.
 
9.4 Non-Exclusive Right. The provisions of this Article IX shall be in addition to and not in limitation of any other rights of indemnification and reimbursement or limitations of liability to which an Indemnified Party may be entitled under the Act, common law, or otherwise.
 
ARTICLE X. AMENDMENT
 
10.1 Amendment. This Agreement may not be altered or modified except by the unanimous written consent or agreement of the Members as evidenced by an amendment hereto whereby this Agreement is amended or amended and restated.
 
ARTICLE XI. WITHDRAWAL
 
11.1 Withdrawal of a Member. No Member may withdraw from the Company except by written request of the Member given to each of the other Members and with the unanimous written consent of the other Members (the effective date of withdrawal being the date on which the unanimous written consent of all of the other Members is given) or upon the effective date of any of the following events:
(a) the Member makes an assignment of his or her property for the benefit of creditors;
 
(b) the Member files a voluntary petition of bankruptcy;
 
(c) the Member is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or there is entered against the Member an order for relief in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding;
 
(d) the Member seeks, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee or receiver for, or liquidation of the Member or of all or any substantial part of the Member’s property;
 
(e) the Member files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Member in any proceeding described in Subsections 11.1 (a) through (d);
 
(f) if the Member is a corporation, the dissolution of the corporation or the revocation of its articles of incorporation or charter;
 
(g) if the Member is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s Interest in the Company;
 
(h) if the Member is an employee of the Company and he or she resigns, retires, or for any reason ceases to be employed by the Company in any capacity; or
(i) if the other Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests vote or request in writing that a Member withdraw and such request is given to the Member (the effective date of withdrawal being the date on which the vote or written request of the other Members is given to the Member).
11.2 Valuation of Interest. The value of the withdrawing Member’s Interest in all events shall be equal to the greater of the following: (a) the amount of the Member’s Capital Contribution or (b) the amount of the Member’s share of the Members’ equity in the Company, plus the amount of any unpaid and outstanding loans or advances made by the Member to the Company (plus any due and unpaid interest thereon, if interest on the loan or advance has been agreed to between the Company and the Member), calculated as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the effective date of the Member’s withdrawal.
 
11.3 Payment of Value. The value shall be payable as follows: (a) If the value is equal to or less than $500, at closing, and (b) If the value is greater than $500, at the option of the Company, $500 at closing with the balance of the purchase price paid by delivering a promissory note of the Company dated as of the closing date and bearing interest at the prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal as of the effective date of withdrawal, with the principal amount being payable in five (5) equal annual installments beginning one (1) year from closing and with the interest on the accrued and unpaid balance being payable at the time of payment of each principal installment.
 
11.4 Closing. Payment of the value of the departing Member’s Interest shall be made at a mutually agreeable time and date on or before thirty (30) days from the effective date of withdrawal. Upon payment of the value of the Interest as calculated in Section 11.3 above: (a) the Member’s right to receive any and all further payments or distributions on account of the Member’s ownership of the Interest in the Company shall cease; (b) the Member’s loans or advances to the Company shall be paid and satisfied in full; and (c) the Member shall no longer be a Member or creditor of the Company on account of the Capital Contribution or the loans or advances.
 
11.5 Limitation on Payment of Value. If payment of the value of the Interest would be prohibited by any statute or law prohibiting distributions that would
(a) render the Company insolvent; or
(b) be made at a time that the total Company liabilities (other than liabilities to Members on account of their Interests) exceed the value of the Company’s total assets;
 
then the value of the withdrawing Member’s Interest in all events shall be $1.00.
ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
12.1 Assignment of Interest and New Members. No Member may assign such person’s Interest in the Company in whole or in part except by the vote or written consent of the other Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests. No additional Person may be admitted as a Member except by the vote or written consent of the Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests.
 
12.2 Determinations by Members: Except as required by the express provisions of this Agreement or of the Act:
(a) Any transaction, action, or decision which requires or permits the Members to consent to, approve, elect, appoint, adopt, or authorize or to make a determination or decision with respect thereto under this Agreement, the Act, the Code, or otherwise shall be made by the Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests.
 
(b) The Members shall act at a meeting of Members or by consent in writing of the Members. Members may vote or give their consent in person or by proxy.
 
(c) Meetings of the Members may be held at any time, upon call of any Member or Members owning, in the aggregate, at least ten percent (10%) of the Interests.
 
(d) Unless waived in writing by the Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests (before or after a meeting), at least two (2) business days, prior notice of any meeting shall be given to each Member. Such notice shall state the purpose for which such meeting has been called. No business may be conducted or action taken at such meeting that is not provided for in such notice.
 
(e) Members may participate in a meeting of Members by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
 
(f) The Members shall cause to be kept a book of minutes of all meetings of the Members in which there shall be recorded the time and place of such meeting, by whom such meeting was called, the notice thereof given, the names of those present, and the proceedings thereof. Copies of any consents in writing shall also be filed in such minute book.
12.3 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the undersigned Members, their legal representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the Members hereunder shall be governed by, and interpreted and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Company’s state of organization or charter, without regard to principles of choice of law.
 
12.5 Headings. The article and section headings in this Agreement are inserted as a matter of convenience and are for reference only and shall not be construed to define, limit, extend, or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provision.
 
12.6 Number and Gender. Whenever required by the context here, the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders, and vice versa.
 
12.7 Entire Agreement and Binding Effect. This Agreement constitutes the sole operating agreement among the Members and supersedes and cancels any prior agreements, representations, warranties, or communications, whether oral or written, between the Members relating to the affairs of the Company and the conduct of the Company’s business. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless approved in writing as provided in Section 10.1. The Articles of Organization and this Agreement are binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Members and Agent(s) and shall be binding upon their successors, assigns, affiliates, subsidiaries, heirs, beneficiaries, personal representatives, executors, administrators, and guardians, as applicable and appropriate.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been made and executed by the Members effective as of the date first written above.
 
______________________(Member)
 
______________________(Member)
 
______________________(Member)
Table A: Name, Address and Initial Capital Contribution of the Members
020

15. Short-Form Operating Agreement for Manager-Managed LLC

OPERATING AGREEMENT OF (insert full name of LLC)

THIS OPERATING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is hereby entered into by the undersigned, who are owners and shall be referred to as Member or Members.
 
RECITALS
 
The Members desire to form (insert full name of LLC), a limited liability company (the “Company”), for the purposes set forth herein, and, accordingly, desire to enter into this Agreement in order to set forth the terms and conditions of the business and affairs of the Company and to determine the rights and obligations of its Members.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Members, intending to be legally bound by this Agreement, hereby agree that the limited liability company operating agreement of the Company shall be as follows:
 
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
 
When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
 
1.1 “Act” means the Limited Liability Company Law of the State in which the Company is organized or chartered, including any amendments or the corresponding provision(s) of any succeeding law.
 
1.2 “Capital Contribution(s)” means the amount of cash and the agreed value of property, services rendered, or a promissory note or other obligation to contribute cash or property or to perform services contributed by the Members for such Members’ Interest in the Company, equal to the sum of the Members’ initial Capital Contributions plus the Members’ additional Capital Contributions, if any, made pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, less payments or distributions made pursuant to Section 5.1.
 
1.3 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding law).
 
1.4 “Interest” or “Interests” means the ownership Interest, expressed as a number, percentage, or fraction, set forth in Table A, of a Member in the Company.
 
1.5 “Manager” or “Managers” means the natural person or persons who have authority to govern the Company according to the terms of this Agreement.
 
1.6 “Person” means any natural individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, jointstock company, trust, or other entity.
 
1.7 “Secretary of State” means the Office of the Secretary of State or the office charged with accepting articles of organization in the Company’s state of organization.
 
ARTICLE II. FORMATION
 
2.1 Organization. The Members hereby organize the Company as a limited liability company pursuant to the provisions of the Act.
 
2.2 Effective Date. The Company shall come into being on, and this Agreement shall take effect from, the date the Articles of Organization of the Company are filed with the Secretary of State in the state of organization or charter.
 
2.3 Agreement: Invalid Provisions and Saving Clause. The Members, by executing this Agreement, hereby agree to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. To the extent any provision of this Agreement is prohibited or ineffective under the Act, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the least extent necessary in order to make this Agreement effective under the Act. In the event the Act is subsequently amended or interpreted in such a way to validate any provision of this Agreement that was formerly invalid, such provision shall be considered to be valid from the effective date of such amendment or interpretation.
 
ARTICLE III. PURPOSE; NATURE OF BUSINESS
 
3.1 Purpose; Nature of Business. The purpose of the Company shall be to engage in any lawful business that may be engaged in by a limited liability company organized under the Act, as such business activities may be determined by the Manager or Managers from time to time.
 
3.2 Powers. The Company shall have all powers of a limited liability company under the Act and the power to do all things necessary or convenient to accomplish its purpose and operate its business as described in Section 3.1 here.
 
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERS AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
 
4.1 Members and Initial Capital Contribution. The name, address, Interest, type of property, and value of the initial Capital Contribution of the Members shall be set forth on Table A attached hereto.
 
4.2 Additional Capital Contributions. The Members shall have no obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Company. The Members may make additional Capital Contributions to the Company as the Members unanimously determine are necessary, appropriate, or desirable.
 
ARTICLE V. DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
 
5.1 Distributions and Allocations. All distributions of cash or other assets of the Company shall be made and paid to the Members at such time and in such amounts as a majority of the Managers may determine. All items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit shall be allocated to the Members in proportion to their Interests.
 
ARTICLE VI. TAXATION
 
6.1 Income Tax Reporting. Each Member is aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by Article V here and agrees to be bound by the provisions of Article V here in reporting each Member’s share of Company income and loss for federal and state income tax purposes.
 
6.2 Tax Treatment. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary and only for purposes of federal and, if applicable, state income tax purposes, the Company shall be classified as a partnership for such federal and state income tax purposes unless and until the Members determine to cause the Company to file an election under the Code to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation.
 
ARTICLE VII. MANAGERS AND AGENTS
 
7.1 Management by Manager(s). The Members shall elect and appoint the Manager(s), who shall have the full and exclusive right, power, and authority to manage the affairs of the Company and to bind the Company to contracts and obligations, to make all decisions with respect thereto, and to do or cause to be done any and all acts or things deemed by the Members to be necessary, appropriate, or desirable to carry out or further the business of the Company. All decisions and actions of the Manager(s) shall be made by majority vote of the Manager(s) as provided in Section 12.3. No annual meeting shall be required to reappoint Manager(s). Such Person(s) shall serve in such office(s) at the pleasure of the Members and until his, her, or their successors are duly elected and appointed by the Members. Until further action of the Members as provided herein, the Manager(s) whose names appear on Table B below are the Manager(s) of the Company.
 
7.2 Agents. Without limiting the rights of the Members, the Manager(s), or the Company, the Manager(s) shall appoint the Person(s) who is (are) to act as the agent(s) of the Company to carry out and further the decisions and actions of the Members or the Manager(s), to manage and the administer the day-to-day operations and business of the Company, and to execute any and all reports, forms, instruments, documents, papers, writings, agreements, and contracts, including but not limited to deeds, bills of sale, assignments, leases, promissory notes, mortgages, and security agreements and any other type or form of document by which property or property rights of the Company are transferred or encumbered, or by which debts and obligations of the Company are created, incurred, or evidenced, which are necessary, appropriate, or beneficial to carry out or further such decisions or actions and to manage and administer the day-to-day operations and business.
 
ARTICLE VIII. BOOKS AND RECORDS
 
8.1 Books and Records. The Managers shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal place of business of the Company true and correct books of account, in which shall be entered fully and accurately each and every transaction of the Company. The Company’s taxable and fiscal years shall end on December 31. All Members shall have the right to inspect the Company’s books and records at any time, for any reason.
 
ARTICLE IX. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
 
9.1 Limited Liability. Except as otherwise required by law, the debts, obligations, and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations, and liabilities of the Company, and the Members shall not be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation, or liability of the Company solely by reason of being Members. The failure of the Company to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or the management of its business or affairs under this Agreement or by law shall not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Members for any debts, liabilities, or obligations of the Company. Except as otherwise expressly required by law, the Members, in such Members’ capacity as such, shall have no liability in excess of (a) the amount of such Members’ Capital Contributions, (b) such Members’ share of any assets and undistributed profits of the Company, and (c) the amount of any distributions required to be returned according to law.
 
9.2 Indemnification. The Company shall, to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law, indemnify, save harmless, and pay all judgments and claims against the Members or Manager(s), and each of the Company’s, Members’, or Manager(s)’ agents, affiliates, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from, against, and in respect of any and all liability, loss, damage, and expense incurred or sustained by the Indemnified Party in connection with the business of the Company or by reason of any act performed or omitted to be performed in connection with the activities of the Company or in dealing with third parties on behalf of the Company, including costs and attorneys’ fees before and at trial and at all appellate levels, whether or not suit is instituted (which attorneys’ fees may be paid as incurred), and any amounts expended in the settlement of any claims of liability, loss, or damage, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
 
9.3. Insurance. The Company shall not pay for any insurance covering liability of the Members or the Manager(s) or the Company’s, Members’, or Manager(s)’ agents, affiliates, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns for actions or omissions for which indemnification is not permitted hereunder; provided, however, that nothing contained here shall preclude the Company from purchasing and paying for such types of insurance, including extended coverage liability and casualty and worker’s compensation, as would be customary for any Person owning, managing, and/or operating comparable property and engaged in a similar business, or from naming the Members or the Manager(s) and any of the Company’s, Members’, or Manager(s)’ agents, affiliates, heirs, legal representatives, successors, or assigns or any Indemnified Party as additional insured parties thereunder.
 
9.4 Non-Exclusive Right. The provisions of this Article IX shall be in addition to and not in limitation of any other rights of indemnification and reimbursement or limitations of liability to which an Indemnified Party may be entitled under the Act, common law, or otherwise.
 
ARTICLE X. AMENDMENT
 
10.1 Amendment. This Agreement may not be altered or modified except by the unanimous written consent or agreement of the Members as evidenced by an amendment hereto whereby this Agreement is amended or amended and restated.
 
ARTICLE XI. WITHDRAWAL
 
11.1 Withdrawal of a Member. No Member may withdraw from the Company except by written request of the Member given to each of the other Members and with the unanimous written consent of the other Members (the effective date of withdrawal being the date on which the unanimous written consent of all of the other Members is given) or upon the effective date of any of the following events:
(a) the Member makes an assignment of his or her property for the benefit of creditors;
 
(b) the Member files a voluntary petition of bankruptcy;
 
(c) the Member is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or there is entered against the Member an order for relief in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding;
 
(d) the Member seeks, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee or receiver for, or liquidation of the Member or of all or any substantial part of the Member’s property;
 
(e) the Member files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Member in any proceeding described in Subsections 11.1 (a) through (d);
 
(f) if the Member is a corporation, the dissolution of the corporation or the revocation of its articles of incorporation or charter;
 
(g) if the Member is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s Interest in the Company;
 
(h) if the Member is an employee of the Company and he or she resigns, retires, or for any reason ceases to be employed by the Company in any capacity; or
 
(i) if the other Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests vote or request in writing that a Member withdraw and such request is given to the Member (the effective date of withdrawal being the date on which the vote or written request of the other Members is given to the Member).
11.2 Valuation of Interest. The value of the withdrawing Member’s Interest in all events shall be equal to the greater of the following: (a) the amount of the Member’s Capital Contribution or (b) the amount of the Member’s share of the Members’ equity in the Company, plus the amount of any unpaid and outstanding loans or advances made by the Member to the Company (plus any due and unpaid interest thereon, if interest on the loan or advance has been agreed to between the Company and the Member), calculated as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the effective date of the Member’s withdrawal.
 
11.3 Payment of Value. The value shall be payable as follows: (a) If the value is equal to or less than $500, at closing, and (b) If the value is greater than $500, at the option of the Company, $500 at closing with the balance of the purchase price paid by delivering a promissory note of the Company dated as of the closing date and bearing interest at the prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal as of the effective date of withdrawal, with the principal amount being payable in five (5) equal annual installments beginning one (1) year from closing and with the interest on the accrued and unpaid balance being payable at the time of payment of each principal installment.
 
11.4 Closing. Payment of the value of the departing Member’s Interest shall be made at a mutually agreeable time and date on or before thirty (30) days from the effective date of withdrawal. Upon payment of the value of the Interest as calculated in Section 11.3 above: (a) the Member’s right to receive any and all further payments or distributions on account of the Member’s ownership of the Interest in the Company shall cease; (b) the Member’s loans or advances to the Company shall be paid and satisfied in full; and (c) the Member shall no longer be a Member or creditor of the Company on account of the Capital Contribution or the loans or advances.
 
11.5 Limitation on Payment of Value. If payment of the value of the Interest would be prohibited by any statute or law prohibiting distributions that would
(a) render the Company insolvent; or
 
(b) be made at a time that the total Company liabilities (other than liabilities to Members on account of their Interests) exceed the value of the Company’s total assets;
 
then the value of the withdrawing Member’s Interest in all events shall be $1.00.
ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
12.1 Assignment of Interest and New Members. No Member may assign such person’s Interest in the Company in whole or in part except by the vote or written consent of the other Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests. No additional Person may be admitted as a Member except by the vote or written consent of the Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests.
 
12.2 Determinations by Members: Except as required by the express provisions of this Agreement or of the Act:
(a) Any transaction, action, or decision which requires or permits the Members to consent to, approve, elect, appoint, adopt, or authorize or to make a determination or decision with respect thereto under this Agreement, the Act, the Code, or otherwise shall be made by the Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests.
 
(b) The Members shall act at a meeting of Members or by consent in writing of the Members. Members may vote or give their consent in person or by proxy.
 
(c) Meetings of the Members may be held at any time, upon call of any Manager or a Member or Members owning, in the aggregate, at least ten percent (10%) of the Interests.
 
(d) Unless waived in writing by the Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the Interests (before or after a meeting), at least two (2) business days’ prior notice of any meeting shall be given to each Member. Such notice shall state the purpose for which such meeting has been called. No business may be conducted or action taken at such meeting that is not provided for in such notice.
 
(e) Members may participate in a meeting of Members by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
 
(f) The Managers shall cause to be kept a book of minutes of all meetings of the Members in which there shall be recorded the time and place of such meeting, by whom such meeting was called, the notice thereof given, the names of those present, and the proceedings thereof. Copies of any consents in writing shall also be filed in such minutes book.
12.3 Determinations by Managers. Except as required by the express provisions of this Agreement or of the Act and if there shall be more than one Manager:
(a) Any transaction, action, or decision which requires or permits the Managers to consent to, approve, elect, appoint, adopt, or authorize or to make a determination or decision with respect thereto under this Agreement, the Act, the Code, or otherwise shall be made by a majority of the Managers.
 
(b) The Managers shall act only at a meeting of the Managers or by consent in writing of the Managers. Managers may vote or give their consent in person only and not by proxy.
 
(c) Meetings of the Managers may be held at any time, upon call of any agent of the Company appointed pursuant to Section 7.2 of this Agreement or any Manager.
 
(d) Notice of any meeting shall be given to a majority of the Managers at any time prior to the meeting, in writing or by verbal communication. Such notice need not state the purpose for which such meeting has been called.
 
(e) The Managers may participate in a meeting of the Managers by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
 
(f) The Managers may cause to be kept a book of minutes of all meetings of the Managers in which there shall be recorded the time and place of such meeting, by whom such meeting was called, the notice thereof given, the names of those present, and the proceedings thereof. Copies of any consents in writing shall also be filed in such minute book.
12.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the undersigned, their legal representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the Members hereunder shall be governed by, and interpreted and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to principles of choice of law.
 
12.5 Headings. The article and section headings in this Agreement are inserted as a matter of convenience and are for reference only and shall not be construed to define, limit, extend, or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provision.
 
12.6 Number and Gender. Whenever required by the context here, the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders, and vice versa.
 
12.7 Entire Agreement and Binding Effect. This Agreement constitutes the sole operating agreement among the Members and supersedes and cancels any prior agreements, representations, warranties, or communications, whether oral or written, between the Members relating to the affairs of the Company and the conduct of the Company’s business. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless approved in writing as provided in Section 10.1. The Articles of Organization and this Agreement are binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Members and Agent(s) and shall be binding upon their successors, assigns, affiliates, subsidiaries, heirs, beneficiaries, personal representatives, executors, administrators, and guardians, as applicable and appropriate.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been made and executed by the Members effective as of the date first written above.
 
_______________________(Member)
 
_______________________(Member)
 
_______________________(Member)
Table A: Name, Address, and Initial Capital Contribution of the Members
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Table B: Managers
Name of Manager Address of Manager

16. Membership Ledger

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17. Investment Representation Letter

Note: The following Investment Representation Letter should be executed by each LLC member and delivered to the company. The Representation Letter seeks to ensure company compliance with securities laws, by asking owners to certify that they are joining the LLC as an investment, and not to trade shares in the LLC.
 
(insert date)
 
To whom it may concern,
 
I am delivering this letter to Olde Craft, LLC in connection with my purchase of a 25% interest in Olde Craft, Inc. for a total sum of $75,000.00. I represent the following:
 
I am purchasing the shares in my own name and for my own account, for investment and not with an intent to sell or for sale in connection with any distribution of such stock; and no other person has any interest in or right with respect to the shares; nor have I agreed to give any person any such interest or right in the future.
 
I recognize that the shares have not been registered under the Federal Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or qualified under any state securities law, and that any sale or transfer of the shares is subject to restrictions imposed by federal and state law.
 
I also recognize that I cannot dispose of the shares absent registration and qualification or an available exemption from registration and qualification. I understand that no federal or state securities commission or other government body has approved of the fairness of the shares offered by the corporation and that the Commissioner has not and will not recommend or endorse the shares.
 
I have not seen or received any advertisement or general solicitation with respect to the sale of the shares.
 
I have a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company or one or more of its officers, directors, or controlling persons and I am aware of its character and general financial and business circumstances.
 
I acknowledge that during the course of this transaction and before purchasing the shares I have been provided with financial and other written information about the Company. I have been given the opportunity by the Company to obtain any information and ask questions concerning the Company, the shares, and my investment that I felt necessary; and to the extent I availed myself of that opportunity, I have received satisfactory information and answers.
 
In reaching the decision to invest in the shares, I have carefully evaluated my financial resources and investment position and the risks associated with this investment, and I acknowledge that I am able to bear the economic risks of this investment.
 
 
________________________________
John Miller

18. Appointment of Proxy for Members’ Meeting

Note: Use the following form when a Member wants to give his or her vote to another person at a meeting of an LLC’s membership.
 
APPOINTMENT OF PROXY FOR (Annual/Special) MEETING
 
MadHatter, LLC
 
SHAREHOLDER: John Miller
 
PERCENTAGE INTEREST HELD BY SHAREHOLDER: 32%
 
I, the undersigned, as record holder of a 32% interest in MadHatter, LLC, revoke any previous proxies and appoint the person whose name appears just below this paragraph as my proxy to attend the member’s meeting on _________________ and any adjournment of that meeting.
 
The person I want to appoint as my proxy is __________________________
 
The proxy holder is entitled to cast a total number of votes equal to, but not exceeding the number of shares which I would be entitled to cast if I were personally present.
 
I authorize my proxy holder to vote and otherwise represent me with regard to any business that may come before this meeting in the same manner and with the same effect as if I were personally present.
 
I may revoke this proxy at any time. This proxy will lapse three months after the date of its execution.
 
If you are signing for a business entity, state your title:
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Note: All proxies must be signed. Sign exactly as your name appears on your stock certificate. Joint shareholders must each sign this proxy. If signed by an attorney in fact, the Power of Attorney must be attached.

19. Call for Meeting of Members

Note: This “call” is an instruction by LLC members to the managers that the members want to call a meeting of members. This serves as official notice. This call is required only in manager-managed LLCs; if a member in a member-managed LLC wants to call a meeting of members, he or she would skip the call and simply send a notice of meeting of members to all other members. The next form is a notice of meeting of members.
 
CALL FOR MEETING OF LLC MEMBERS
 
TO: The Managers of MadHatter, LLC
 
(insert date)
 
The party or parties whose name appears below are members of MadHatter, LLC, and own percentage interests entitled to cast not less than 10 percent of MadHatter’s votes. We hereby call a meeting of the members of MadHatter to be held _______________ (date), at _______________ (time), for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following matters:
 
(Insert matters to be considered, such as “A proposal that John Jones be removed as a manager of MadHatter.”)
 
You are directed to give notice of this meeting of the members, in the manner prescribed by MadHatter’s operating agreement and by law, to all members entitled to receive notice of the meeting.
 
Date______________
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20. Notice of Meeting of LLC Members

Note: This form is an LLC’s announcement to its members that a meeting of members has been called.
 
NOTICE OF MEETING OF MEMBERS OF OLDECRAFT, LLC
 
Certain members of OldeCraft, LLC, have called a meeting of the members of OldeCraft pursuant to OldeCraft’s operating agreement.
 
Therefore, this is your official notice as an OldeCraft member that a meeting of members of OldeCraft, LLC, will be held on __________ (date), at ______________ (time), at _________________________ (address), to consider and act on the following matters:
 
(insert matters to be considered, such as “A proposal that John Jones be removed from the board of directors.”)
 
If you do not expect to be present at the meeting and wish your shares to be voted, you may complete the attached form of proxy and mail it in the enclosed addressed envelope.
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21. Minutes of Meeting of LLC Members

Note: While LLC members and managers enjoy far fewer corporate formalities than corporation owners, an LLC must still maintain records of its meetings. When an LLC’s members meet to formally vote on any matter, the results of that vote should be committed to written minutes.
 
MINUTES OF MEETING OF MEMBERS OF OLDECRAFT, LLC
 
The members of OLDECRAFT, LLC, held a meeting on _________ (date), at ______________(time), at ________________(place). The meeting was called by John Miller and the company managers mailed notice to all members that the meeting would take place.
 
The following members were present at the meeting, in person or by proxy, representing membership interests as indicated:
John Jones, 50%
John Smith, 30%
John Miller, 20%
Also present were Michael Spadaccini, attorney to the company, and Lisa Jones, wife of John Jones, and the company’s president and sole manager.
 
The company’s president called the meeting to order and announced that she would chair the meeting, that a quorum was present, and that the meeting was held pursuant to a written notice of meeting given to all members of the company. A copy of the notice was ordered inserted in the minute book immediately preceding the minutes of this meeting.
 
The minutes of the previous meeting of shareholders were then read and approved.
 
The chairperson then announced that the election of a manager was in order. Lisa Jones stated that she could no longer serve as manager of the company. John Smith was then elected to serve until the next meeting of members, and until the manager’s successor was duly elected and qualified, as follows:
 
(Include agreement for selecting new manager here.)
 
There being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made, seconded, and adopted, the meeting was adjourned.
 
 
______________________
John Smith, Manager

22. Action by Written Consent of LLC Members

Note: Most company votes are taken by written consent rather than by notice and meeting and an in-person vote. Use the following form when you wish to take a company action in writing, rather than by a noticed meeting. Keep in mind, however, that your operating agreement and articles may require more than a simple majority to pass certain actions. Written consents are important company records and should be maintained in the record books.
 
ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT OF SHAREHOLDERS OF OLDECRAFT, LLC
 
The undersigned members of OldeCraft, LLC, owning of record the number of shares entitled to vote as set forth, hereby consent to the following company actions. The vote was unanimous. (For actions where a unanimous vote is not required: “A vote of 66% was required to take the actions listed below, and 80% of the membership interest in the company have given their consent.”):
1. Pete Wilson is hereby removed as manager of the company.
2. The number of managers of the company is increased from one to two.
John Smith and John Miller, both also members, are hereby elected to serve as company managers until the next meeting of members.
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23. Written Consent of Members Approving a Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Organization Changing an LLC’s Name

ACTION OF MEMBERS BY WRITTEN CONSENT TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION CHANGING LLC NAME
 
The undersigned, who comprise all the members of PLASTICWORLD, LLC, agree unanimously to the following:
 
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Organization presented to the undersigned members, specifically changing the name of the company to PLASTICUNIVERSE, LLC is approved.
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